A.K. SIKRI, J.

1.The appellant herein is duped by the respondent. The respondent, who was already married to one Amarjeet Kaur suppressing this marriage and pretending that he was still a bachelor, married the appellant on 11.12.1977, according to Sikh rites and ceremonies at Jalandhar. Both of them lived as husband and wife for number of years at the matrimonial house, i.e. A-447, Defence Colony, New Delhi. Two daughters were born out of this wedlock, on 18.2.1981 and 31.5.83 respectively. According to the appellant, she decided to complete her B.A. Degree, which she had left incomplete earlier before marriage. Therefore, she picked up her studies again. In April 1991, she went to Paghwara, Punjab, to take the exams. On 13.6.1991 when she returned, her mother-in-law did not allow her to go inside the house. She was, thus, deserted by the respondent. At that time she came to know that the respondent was already married to Smt. Amarjeet Kaur.

2.The appellant did not swallow this insult to her. She filed a criminal case against the respondent for committing bigamy (in this case the respondent has been convicted). She also filed a petition under Sections 18 and 20 of the Hindu